Australia’s Sunshot Energy is proposing to build a new battery and green hydrogen industrial hub in Western Australia powered by renewable energy and with the potential to produce green ammonia and urea.
The project was unveiled on Friday by Western Australia’s government, which pledged to provide up to AUD 1 million (USD 752,300/EUR 676,100) to fund the feasibility study for the project.
According to the plan, the so-called Collie Battery and Hydrogen Industrial Hub near the town of Collie will include a big battery of between 600 MWh and 800 MWh, which will be four times bigger than the Hornsdale Power Reserve in South Australia, as well as renewable energy plants to power the production of an electrolyser for green hydrogen. Apart from hydrogen, the possibility of producing green ammonia and urea for agricultural and industrial uses is also being explored.
The government estimates that the project, if it proves feasible, could create AUD 730 million of new investment in green industries and decarbonisation initiatives.
"The renewable energy hub could also help to attract new industries to set up in Collie including processing of critical minerals," said Jodie Hans, MLA Member for Collie-Preston Australian Labor Party.
(AUD 1.0 = USD 0.752/EUR 0.676)